Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-03
A CALL FOR POLICE.
The Citizens Committee Hear q Re.
port ON Law and Order.

A CALL FOR POLICE.
| The Citizens Committee Hear q Re.
port ON Law and Order.
| Ex-9AJoR WALKER SUGGESTS DARK INIQUrTIEs N THE
JURY sYSTEN-AN INCREASE IN THE POLICE FORCE
| NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ON THE WATER QUESTION
| THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION OF THE DIVISION
| About sixty members OF the Citizens Repre-
| sentative Committee OF One Hundred assembled
The elevator in the g. A. X. building last night
| and assembled in the airy upper hail rented for
/ the use OF the committee. Chairman Fendall
presided. The first business brought up from the
table OF the secretary, Mr. Lawrence Gardner, was
| the consideration OF the amendment to the rules
! offered by Mr.. Dodge defining the powers of the
local associations IN their relation to the general
| committee.
POWERS OF LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
The amendment proposed the following addition
| to rule -:
"And whenever any Citizens Association hav-
ing delegates In the Representative Committee OF
one Hundred shall deem IT necessary or advisable
To apply 10 Congress for legislation such applica-
| ton shall be made through said committee, and
subject TO Its discretion; and whenever any such
association shall deem 1t necessary or advisable to
seek or oppose executive or judicial action respect
| ing any matter OF general interest affecting
equally the whole District, respecting any mat
ter in controversy between itself and some other
association, such action shall be sought opposed
ton; but whenever such action shall involve a
matter Of local Importance only, matter re-
qulring Immediate attention. 1t may be sought or
opposed by the local association without reference
| to said committee"
Mr.. Dodge said his amendment proposed to
place everything within the control OF the repre-
sentative committee except matters that are
purely local aud cases requiring immediate atten-
ton, in the case, for instance of the telephone
poles Capitol Hill, when it was proposed to get
out an Injunction
Mr.. JnO L. Mitchell favored the adoption of the
thaf in, n tyt I,a
West Washington Association he had found emer-
gencies in which IT would be folly wait until the
cltlZenS representative committee should meet
before going TO the authorities. He related re-
cent instance where he had gone to the Commits
sonero TO secure The repair Of piece OF pavement
that had caused accidents repeatedly. Other mat
tiers Of more Importance, perhaps had occupied
the commissioners attention Tor two or three
years, 80 they had not been able to attend TO it,
but he believed il would be attended to II the Com
misSioners lived long enough.
The amendment was adopted by vote OF 40 to
=, MessrS. Mullett and Luttrell voting against 1t.
Upon calling the committees, the following re-
ported that they had organized, with the members
schools, RObt. Reyburn; streets, avenues and
alleys, Noble ID. Larner; water supply and sewer
age, VIM; H. Singleton: law and order, Mills Dean;
public buildings for the District, A. Is Muett.
POLICE CHANGES AND REFORMS RECOMMENDED.
Mr.. Mitchell from the committee on law and
order. submitted the following report:
"Your committee on law and order respectfully
beg leave to report that there IL immediate need
Vi An lucre1lSt OF police force, ana we recon-
mend To the committee that Congress be urged to
provide for An Increase OF twenty men, While
hold that the District OF Columbia cannot be prop
erly pOlced without an increase of at least one -
dred men, yet fear that by asking for more than
Congress Will be disposed TO give we will get no
increase at an: hence we place the number to be
asked for at twenty.
'iWe also recommend that the Committee Of One
Hundred urge Congress to abolish the Police Court
and substitute police magistrates therefor The
custom DOW prevailing OF hauling the prisoners
nom the various StaliOn-hOuSeS, where they are
crowded together In underground cells, is simply
barbarous and women and children {many OF
thela Innocent OF criinel and drunken rOuyhs and
bury professional thieves are 1ndscrinlinately
nerded together often to the number Of twenty
five or mors, aud hauled through the
streets In an illy-ventilated van, regard
less OF freaks OF temperature Moreover, policemen
are necessarily kept 1T the Police Court waiting
To give testimony While they should be resting
and preparing for their next tour OF duty. The
the taxpayers at least $4,000 per anuum. The
amount uf lines collected by tue Police Court Is
less than the amount collected by tue former
police magistrates (who only had jurisdiction in
corporation cases. when the population was
from 20 TO 50 per cent less than 1t Is now. Be-
sides ali this II Is an outrage 10 require citizens
resitlGg in East West Washington TO 90 to the
Police Court 1Or justice when they might receive
the same nearer their homes at much less cost to
the taxpayers.
Your committee also recommend that Con-
gross De urged To pass an act making the ordi-
nances OF the late corporations OF Washington
ana Georgetown and the levy court applicable to
the entire District. As it is now We have three
separate and distinct sets of laws applicable to as
many parts OF the District.
There Is no sufficient law or ordinance in
force In this District applicable to trampS and
known professional thieves, and the only way
10 reach these classes now Is to commit them to
the wOrkhouSe for ninety days In default OF bonds
In the penal SUN OF SO. Wherefore only the ex-
tfenely poor are sent to our workhouse as pun
lshment."
Mr.. Geo. W. Dyer moved that the report be
printed. so that members could have an oppor-
tunity 10 carefully consider it. and that 1t be laid
over Ior consideration at the next meeting.
Mr.: Willard, OF Northeast Washington, moved to
should inT ask fI Iop o oek ~ sne They
section he said, needed StattOn-hOuse. The c1ti-
zens had got tired out there Of doing their own
police duty.
MAJOR WALKER on THE JURY SYSTEM.
Major $. II. Walker, ex-chief OF police read over
the subjects which the committee on law and
order was expected TO consider, and remarked that
they had omitted many matters. Major Walker
relnarked that there were things about the jury
service that needed attending to. When the
names of jurors for the Criminal Court were
drawn there were always from 10 TO 20 persons
excused exc and gentleman formerly detective
His the jury. III has been than once brought
10 my attention, said Major Walker, ''that for a
consideration or $500 or $500 verdict can be OBJ
ttlned. As 10 the Police Court, he thought any
proposed Change OF system so nearly affecting
The liberties Of citizens should be considered care
July; He remarked that now by paying 81. Is one
urged That they should go to Congress and ask for
All Ihc ponceinen needed suggesting that the ill.,
CIcdoc VI iOlCc loheQ VI the last Congress was
Ieated because OF pressure upon Congress for
money lOr The extension OF a certain street.
MI. ChttS Pelham rose 10 defend the magistrates
and The jury system. The magistrates, he said
Included many honorable men, and he denied That
thty would render judgments for sLG5. He
thought, TOO, the gentleman was nioinformed as
10 the method OF forming jury. No detective or
policeman could Ill jury. He did not think such
charge should be made. He deprecated, too any
reflection On the character or the gentlemen oil the
jury commission.
Mr.. Isaac L. johnson asked If it were not true
were summoned
Mr. Pelham said he had known such q thing to
happen Two or three times.
Nj Walker Gisclaimed any intention OF reflect
Ing on tne magistrates or the Jury commission
MI Ntldrds motion was Withdrawn and Mr.
Dyer III otlon 10 print was adopted
THE PRINTERS PROTEST.
A communication was read from Columbia Typo-
graphical Union enclosing the resolutions adopted
by that union Saturday, July IT, condemning the
action OF the District Commissioners in letting the
cOhtract lor District printing 10 a Philadelphia
urln II was referred 10 the committee on law and
order. " ~
THE WATER QUESTION.
VT. Dodge presented series Of resolutions
adopted by Association No. 3, asking the Commit
Tee OF one Hundred, ito appoint special commit
Tee TO walt upon the President and ask that he
VIII TAKE the necessary steps TO place completion
VI the water works under the control OF a more
experienced oDicer-eitLer Gen. NeiCs or COZ
&